A Day in the Life (of an author preparing for book launch)

The great thing about a day in the life of an author — or most anyone who works in publishing — is that every day is so different, even when the job is “writer” or “editor” or “publicist.”

On Monday, I kept track of everything I did from midnight to midnight. (Since I was up for both of them.) My day was actually really light compared to a lot of authors, since my email inbox is almost always in a state of Dealt With. (Except that one thing, which I still haven’t done.) Which means my day has a lot of fun and slacking off, even though I have a book coming out in a few weeks. (More on that in a bit.)

12am: Watch Vampire Diaries (season 1, if you must know) with sick husband. Spin yarn.1:15am: Discuss Doctor Who with Kathleen Peacock and put ferrets to bed.1:45am: Read (MILA 2.0 ARC!).2:30am: Sleep.9:30am: Drag self out of bed and hunt down coffee. Check emails. Poke around on Twitter.9:52am: IM with Agent Lauren about Writing Stuff.10am: Write a list of things to pack for launch tour in three weeks.10:07am: RELEASE THE FERRETS!!! (Ferrets sleepily stagger out of their cage.)10:17am: Rescue a ferret from the box he got trapped inside.10:20am: Discuss kissing movies with Myra McEntire.10:28am: Edit notes from Agent on Sparkle Story! And Boston Asunder party plans!11am: Taunt the people of Twitter with an Asunder teaser.11:18am: Email about a school visit.11:19am: Reread Sparkle Story notes.11:35am: Watch a ferret take care of a Very Serious Itch. Wonder how he can move his legs that fast.11:40am: Decide to risk a shower. Have 56.7 new story ideas. Change out of pajamas into different pajamas.12pm: EVERYTHING PAUSES FOR THE NEXT EPISODE OF LIZZIE BENNET DIARIES OMCCCC.12:09pm: Discuss Lizzie Bennet Diaries with Twitter friends. Gasp. Snort. Laugh!12:25pm: Back to thinking about revisions.12:41pm: Remember to eat lunch and hang out with husband.12:42pm: Email agent instead.1:03pm: Actually get around to eating lunch and hanging out with husband. (Poor neglected husband.)1:55pm: Start revising Sparkle Story according to agent’s notes.2:24pm: Emails with publicist about an event in NYC.2:30pm: Back to revising.2:38pm: Agree to a random request to dance on video.2:39pm: Do the dance thing. With ferrets. You can see it here.3:36pm: Back to revising.4:07pm: Clean up after ferrets.4:08pm: Back to revising.4:29pm: Realize the socks I’m knitting each have a different number of stitches and neither number is the correct number. (I’m totally revising.)4:30pm: Rip out both socks. Tell myself I can start them again when I’ve made edits to chapter four.4:32pm: Back to revising.4:37pm: Email asking for book donations.5:03pm: Email about event plans in Albany.5:04pm: Back to revisions.5:46pm: Put away ginormo box of Asunder hardcovers that has been sitting in the living room for 3 days.5:47pm: Dinner and lots of TV with husband.9:58pm: More emails about events and school visits.12am: Still watching TV with sick husband, with socks halfway reknitted.

Yes, I’m a little (a lot) embarrassed by how much TV I watched the other day, buuuut my husband is sick and I’ll be leaving in a few weeks for several ASUNDER launch events, so surely he deserves the pleasure of my company, right? (Also, I got to knit the socks even though I wasn’t finished with chapter four.)

And speaking of Asunder launching in just a few weeks (yay yay yay!), here’s a chance to win a pre-order. It’s international, to wherever The Book Depository ships. Just fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!

About Jodi

Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the Incarnate Trilogy, The Orphan Queen Duology, and The Fallen Isles Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and a coauthor of My Lady Jane and My Plain Jane (HarperTeen). Visit her at www.jodimeadows.com.

I’m not sure how I actually imagine an author’s day to be like since I would think it has radically changed from say, 10 years ago. Now, a day in many authors’ lives include networking through social media instead of the traditional “back end” work of just writing and conversing with the people in publishing? (<–Boring answer, I know. But you can skip that paragraph because…)

Yes, I imagine it *has* changed a lot in the last ten years! And it’s probably much different for even different genres/categories. I bet a lot of adult writers don’t play around on Twitter as much as YA and MG authors do, for example. (Where playing = “networking” but really is playing.)

ONE MORE DAY UNTIL MORE LIZZIE BENNET OMC. Being a fan of this thing is so emotional.

I never actually thought of a day in the life of an Author, besides staring angrilly at a blank page on a computer screen, then drinking coffee… then, suddenly, the eyes widen and fingers flahs to the keys and then BAM! half a page. lol.

I’ve thought a lot about what a typical day in the life of an author would be like. I imagine a lot of internet browsing and kicking yourself for said internet browsing and time spent on twitter even though I know there’s definitely good things that can come out of having a presence on twitter, etc. Lately I’ve been working only a part time job and for the past two days I’ve come home, watched an episode of the Vampire Diaires (I was behind on the last few episodes of this season. ;p) and then settle in to write. That included browsing pinterest for a bit and finding some inspiring pictures, getting the right music and finally getting my hands on the keyboard and writing. Which has proved to be a good system. Because I wrote nearly 12,000 words yesterday. I am SO happy with that. So maybe I’m figuring out what it’s like to write for a living. At least a little. And I’m LOVING it.

I have this crazy notion that being a full time writer means awesome time management *snort* For some reason being able to schedule a dentist appointment at a normal time or meet a friend for a spur of the moment lunch date sounds FANTASTIC. But lets be honest, I’ll most likely become agoraphobic and the only daily in-person interaction I’ll have is with my dogs 🙂

I would LOVE to get a copy of Asunder 😀 *resists urge to fall to knees and beg*

LOL! Yes, well, I have learned a little about time management. But not as much as I should for days that don’t have clear goals. When I’m given a deadline, NOTHING CAN STOP ME. I love deadlines. They bring out the crazy obsessive in me.

I always imagined there’s lots of writing involved but also lots of procrastinating (because I am a horrible procrastinator and like to project that onto other people) Plus how could you resist interacting with your wonderful readers 😉

Oh yes, lots of writing! If I were working on a first draft right now, the post would have been very different. But right now I’m actually *waiting* on a lot of things. (One of those things was the note from my agent on Sparkle Story.)

Interacting with readers is one of the best parts of my day. Seriously, I’m so lucky that people want to read my books and talk to me. 😀

You totally cracked me up with your list of things that you get up to in a typical day for you… But it’s surprisingly similar to what I imagine an author’s day to be like! To me, I’d wake up, grab some coffee, lurk on Twitter for a while, then write a bit, before lunch, hanging out with friends, dinner, reading and watching TV shows, perhaps a bit more writing, then to bed!

I feel like lots of authors days include various methods of procrastination when it comes to write/edit. You set up you perfect environment in which to get lots of work done with your perfect music on, the right lighting, a comfortable but not too comfortable chair, a steaming mug of tea at your side and then you decide to check just one email before you begin. You have to stay on top of things right? Fast forward several hours later and you’ve been sucked down the rabbit hole of the internet and find yourself laughing maniacally at grumpy cat memes.

You’re not wrong about procrastination! Authors are masters at finding something else to do. Any work but the work you’re supposed to be doing! (For example, I just got a few more edit notes from my agent, so I decided I’d rather answer comments here.)

I think I need to watch more TV. LOL.
Seriously, it’s a good way to step away fromt he computer and not end up staring….and some Twitter, then more staring… o.o
Also, someday I would love to be there to witness the “Release the Ferrets!” moment. 😉

You know, after interacting with many of you authors, I have come to imagine your days quite like this one! Lol! You are all a lot of fun and hilarious to follow on twitter! And the fact that you dedicate time in your day to watch Vampire Diaries earns you extra points! =)

Vampire Diaries happens to be the series we’re watching now. We just finished rewatching all of Castle. Before that was another show. Hubs and I go through and rewatch everything when we get a new season of it on DVD, since we don’t have TV and we’re never really caught up…

I always imagined the day in the life of an author to be behind a computer, furiously typing away new ideas, then answering e-mails and a few other online social media stuff. I never imagined that ferret fun could be involved! Sounds like you have a very busy, but incredibly fun, author life, Jodi! I love ferrets and have always wanted one, but I don’t think the kitties would be very happy with me if I brought one home. They’re a jealous bunch 😉

I haven’t really thought about it, although now that I do, I think it’s pretty much spent in front of a computer with caffeine not far from you. Your day is a total bad*ss, though (ferrets and TV? Come on!). I love it! This is a really cool idea! I’ll keep track of what I did from midnight to midnight, too 🙂

Well, I’m not really sure. But I’m pretty sure it’s just like my day, except for the writing 🙂 See, writing, coffee, family time. Although I don’t drink coffee. But I see that most people do, to stay awake and such 🙂 Being an author sounds like a lot of work, at least what I have seen on twitter ;p Thank you for this perfect giveaway sweetie. <3 Dying to read Asunder 🙂
Love, Carina

Wow, I actually never really thought about that. Umm, maybe lots of family and relaxing time when you’ve just finished a book, and when the deadline is just around the corner, you start to look like a zombie that is completely subsisting on coffee, and being AWOL to everyone around you 24/7. Being an author seems tough and yet amazing at the same time, though. 🙂

Pajamas! When I envision authors on a typical day, I always envision them wearing pajamas, in bed with a laptop they are typing on, all the while resisting temptation of online social networking sites.

I am currently working on my first manuscript, and I know how difficult it is to stay on track during the day. It is so easy to get caught up online and allow an hour to pass. It is so cruel that an hour of writing passes so much more slowly than an hour “doing research” online. I suppose that on a typical day, an author probably has much more anxiety and stress, because they are contracted to finish their drafts/revisions on a certain day. I admire every person who sits down to write. It takes a lot of dedication and imagination.

I imagine their day just like any other, for those that don’t look close enough. But in reality they make from time to time tiny stories about scenarios they saw they listen for inspiration and research even if it takes them to the dangers of a New York subway system.

Well I’m pretty sure there is no “typical” day, but from what I heard every day involves a lot of emotions, a lot of coffee, (possibly some alcohol), dealing with a never-ending heap of email, telling people that no I can’t give away a series free/edit your book for free/write your daughter’s book report/introduce you to my editor, beating your head against a wall in an effort to figure out why the plot is broken, realizing in the shower why X did that Y back in page 24 and THAT IS WHY THE PROTRACTOR SCENE IS IMPORTANT IT”S ALL ABOUT THE HIDDEN DRUGBAT WAR. Oh, and writing until your eyes bleed.

Yes, there’s really no typical day. Even if you write every day, you’re still working on something different. First drafts are always a challenge. Revisions. More revisions. Different kind of revisions. . . .

Oh yes, coffee for me, but there are certainly writers whose every day involves alcohol! Hee. Helps deal with the emotions you mentioned.

Thanks for sharing your day! I’m impressed that you kept track of it all — down to the minute! I would probably fail if I tried to keep track of mine. I guess I’ve always imagined that writers spend lots of time in their PJs in front of their computers, with their favorite snacks nearby. 🙂

The weird thing is that Monday was actually an extraordinarily *un*busy day, considering how soon launch is! But like I said, I’m really good about getting emails taken care of as they come in, while a lot of people let them pile up. (Often for good reasons.)

Well of course I expect authors to be very busy on their scheds, but still has time for their extra curricular things hehe.

And yes your day Ms. Jodi is indeed very busy. And you planned it time by time perfectly!I ‘m not very good on that one eh. I saw you read emails and reply to them mostly on your time and I love it 🙂 Some authors forgot to check their emails because of their busy life and miss the stalker like fans or just the sweet ones..hehehe

“Put away ginormo box of ASUNDER hardcovers that has been sitting in the living room for 3 days.”–Jodi

If this books are taking much spaces on your house this are very welcome on mine (*w/ open wide hands*) 😀 <3

How I imagine a day of a writer? Well, maybe like a 24/7 writing, a lot of coffee and no sleep. 😀 No, just kidding. A day of an author is probably pretty same as a day of others, except the hours of writing. 🙂

My picture-perfect author day would include sudden, brilliant epiphanies, a thousand words an hour and lots of wonderful cynical people sitting around a table in a dark room and scribbling on bits of parchment.

I spend most of my weekends on the couch in a ratty old sweatshirt staring forlorn at a blank document. I imagine it’s quite a bit like that 🙂

I think a day of an author would be hard! Well at least if I was a author. Whenever I have to write a paper for school I dread it! I had to write two 10 page papers last semester and I found it difficult. But I guess its different if you are writing a topic you actually want to write about!

Ha! A list of one of my days would probably read something like that, except with cats instead of ferrets, and no sick husband (Feel better, Jodi’s husband!). And I don’t knit. Or watch those particular shows. But still, almost exactly like that 🙂

I imagine that the daily life of an author is just craziness! The list up above is basically what I imagine and then more because I don`t think I have ever spoken to an author that could say I am never busy and am free frequently!” You guys live full lives that’s for sure 😀

In my mind a writers day is a normal day like everyone else of course with the exception of having a little note in your purse writing about every little idea you get. Also, going on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads all the time to see what the followers think about your books.

I imagine an author’s day is like nothing I imagine. 🙂 I would expect it to be quiet and full of writing, but I know authors have normal lives, too. Which means I have no excuse for not writing. 😛 Great post!

Thanks for sharing a day in the life!! I love this kind of thing (especially with pictures). It’s never normal but it is writer-normal.

If you had asked me what an author’s day was like before this blog came along…I would have said, “A lot of writing, a lot of editing, ad a lot of reading.” But now that I’ve been properly educated, haha, I would add a lot of time on social media, possibly a day job, communicating with editors/agents occasionally, preparing for ways to promote your book, watching TV (for inspiration, of course), a lot of researching, time spent finding inspiration, and some time having an actual life.

Having an actual life — at least occasionally — is super important. It’s so easy to get caught up all work all the time, especially for people who *love* their work, like many authors do. Who needs sleep when they could be writing?! Apparently we all need sleep, actually. Heh.